Photo: there goes the neighborhood
VISALIA – It was wake and bake on September 12 at a marijuana grow site. Nothing like the smell of 2000 marijuana plants in the morning. Similarly, the weed scent greeted residents of Patterson Tract in North Visalia far too long.
grow site
After several complaints, detectives of the Tulare Area Gang and Narcotic Enforcement Team of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office went to check out what was up.
TAGNET, while assisting the Code Compliance Unit of the Resource Management Agency investigating 19 civil abetment warrants, came across five marijuana gardens. Each garden far exceeded the legal limits set by prop 64 which allows for a person 21-years of age or older to grow up to 6 marijuana plants inside their home or in a fully enclosed and secure structure.
The locations of the gardens were on the properties of the following addresses:
- 32000 Blk. of Lincoln Rd.;
- 32000 Blk. of Road 124;
- 12000 Blk. of Ave. 328;
- 32000 Blk. of Grandview Rd.;
- 12000 Blk. of Ave. 324.
Officers and TAGNET Detectives contacted the residents of a home on the 32000 block of Lincoln Road. The laws outlining the cultivation of marijuana plants in Visalia were reiterated to the residents. They were aware the plants were on the property. While it is unclear if the plants belonged to the residents of this home, they requested the illegal garden be removed.
processed weed
Consequently, authorities removed and destroyed a total of 1,909 plants. They also destroyed an additional 460 pounds of semi-processed weed and 100 pounds of processed weed.
They confiscated three riffles and will keep them until they contact the registered owners. There have been no arrests at this time.
Certainly, the fight against illegal marijuana gardens is in full effect. Anyone wanting to report illegal growth sites can contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office anonymously by calling TIPNOW at 559-725-4194.
Photos from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office
